Bulgarian lev · BGN
лв symbol · 1 country currently using this currency.
Currency info
Adopted: 1881
Currency family: Other
The Bulgarian lev's name comes from the Slavic word for 'lion,' reflecting national pride and strength.
- Introduced in 1881 after Bulgaria's independence from Ottoman rule
- Originally pegged to the gold standard and later to various international currencies
- Redenominated in 1999 with the introduction of the new lev at a rate of 1,000 old lev to 1 new lev
- Fixed to the euro at 1.95583 BGN per EUR since 1997 through a currency board arrangement
- Bulgaria adopted the currency board system to stabilize the economy during the 1990s financial crisis
Countries currently using this currency
Related
Other Other currencies
Historical predecessor
Ottoman lira